The field of paralegal enterprise is getting a lot of attention today. A recent report by a Connecticut Bar Association committee on the "problem" of law schools included a suggestion that some of what folks call the justice gap — the lack of access on the part of many to resources necessary to meet their basic legal needs, could be met by empowering paralegals to offer direct-to-the public service.

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Very interesting post. As CEO of two training institutions, one for legal technology and the other for experienced paralegals, I can tell you that there is nothing more important than continuing legal education, particularly in this age of technology. The legal field was the last to get on the bandwagon as lawyers feared a) computers would cut into their billable hours and b) they didn‘t want to be misconstrued as a secretary.

It‘s the same with the changing legal world. Paralegals are not driving the need for services directly to the public. It‘s the public demanding lower fees and the advent of DIY law. I predict (and I‘ll betcha 25 cents - I don‘t go any higher) that the paralegal field will eventually follow the nursing field in a tiered ladder of education: nurse‘s aide; licensed vocational nurse; Registered Nurse; Nurse Practitioner; Physician‘s Assistant. Hold onto your hats, legal field, the world is a‘changin‘.